『Langaku』, an English Extensive Reading App with Manga, Launches Inquiry-Based Learning Program for Schools
Mantra Inc., developer of the English extensive reading app 'Langaku,' has partnered with BYD Inc. to launch an inquiry-based learning program for junior and high school students. This program, which leverages manga to make English learning more engaging, has already been adopted by several metropolitan high schools and aims to lower psychological barriers to English study while fostering interest in DX.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 8, 2026 at 20:00
- 🔍 Collected: May 8, 2026 at 11:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 8, 2026 at 11:55 (23 min after Collected)
Mantra Inc. (Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Shinnosuke Ishiwatari), which develops and operates the English extensive reading learning app 'Langaku,' has partnered with BYD Inc. (hereinafter 'BYD'), a provider of student workshops, to begin offering an inquiry-based learning program for junior and high school students.
'Langaku' has already been adopted as an English extensive reading material by multiple high schools, including metropolitan high schools. Through this initiative, we aim to deliver English extensive reading to more students and expand opportunities for inquiry-based learning centered around manga.
As the first phase of this initiative, an inquiry-based learning program titled "Workshop to Enhance Interest in English and DX Utilizing 'Langaku'" was conducted on April 22, 2026, at Taisei High School in Mitaka City, Tokyo.
■ A New Form of Learning Starting with Manga
This program utilizes 'Langaku' to provide inquiry-based learning from the following three perspectives:
・Manga × English Extensive Reading
Students enjoy reading their favorite manga in English, experiencing the discovery of "this line translates to this in English." Because they are reading manga they already enjoy, English expressions naturally sink in through the power of the story.
・Manga × Inquiry
Students deepen their thinking by sharing impressions with peers and encountering new works through reading experiences. They expand their learning by starting from their own 'likes' and engaging with others' perspectives.
・Manga × DX (Digital Transformation)
With the theme "What kind of service is 'Langaku'?", students explore the app's functions and collectively learn about the AI and technological mechanisms that support it.
■ Implementation at Taisei High School
The program was conducted on April 22, 2026, for 118 students across three classes at Taisei High School.
At Taisei High School, the first school to implement the program, students showed a proactive attitude. A post-implementation survey (95 valid responses) among participants recorded an average overall satisfaction score of 4.09 out of 5, and an average interest level in the manga within the app of 4.16.
Notably, a change was observed among the 65% of respondents who self-identified as "bad at English." Approximately half (52%) of these students who felt they were not good at English responded, "I feel like I could read English manga on my own," indicating success in lowering the psychological barrier to English learning and providing a sense of accomplishment in deep inquiry activities.
【Student Voices】
"Just facing textbooks for English didn't last long for me. With this, I feel like I can engage with English daily." (Student who said they were worst at English)
"I never thought I could be this interested in English. I thought I'd try using it personally." (Student who said they were worst at English)
"Just turning English into manga made it many times more enjoyable to read than reading textbook sentences."
"It was so much fun, I forgot I used to hate English."
【Comment from Mr. Hagiwara, Taisei High School】
"I was surprised by the proactive attitude of students who said they were not good at English. It was particularly impressive to see them enjoying 'Oh, so that line translates to this in English' about manga they had read before. I believe they experienced how new value can be found by combining multiple elements and technology. I hope that these insights and ways of thinking will serve as a starting point for further deepening their inquiry activities based on their individual interests."
■ Presenting Case Studies at EDIX Tokyo
This program is scheduled to be introduced as a joint seminar "Langaku Inquiry-Based Learning Program" by Mantra × BYD at the BYD booth during the Education General Exhibition "EDIX Tokyo," held at Tokyo Big Sight from May 13 (Wednesday) to 15 (Friday), 2026.
▼ EDIX Tokyo Event Overview
Dates: May 13 (Wednesday) – 15 (Friday), 2026
Venue: Tokyo Big Sight
Booth: BYD Booth (3-1)
Seminar: May 13 (Wednesday) 15:00–15:30
"Langaku Inquiry-Based Learning Program: ~Manga × English Extensive Reading × DX × Inquiry~ How to Create the Most Enjoyable English Brain"
■ Future Developments
'Langaku' has already received high praise as an English extensive reading material from schools that have adopted it, and we will continue to expand its adoption nationwide.
Furthermore, Mantra and BYD will further strengthen their collaboration on the inquiry-based learning program, delivering this new form of learning – "Manga × English Extensive Reading × Inquiry × DX" – to schools across the country.
We will continue to strive to create educational opportunities where each student can learn proactively and grow while having fun.
■ Application Information
The English extensive reading app 'Langaku' and the 'Langaku Inquiry-Based Learning Program' are available for junior and high schools nationwide.
Keywords:
'Langaku' has already been adopted as an English extensive reading material by multiple high schools, including metropolitan high schools. Through this initiative, we aim to deliver English extensive reading to more students and expand opportunities for inquiry-based learning centered around manga.
As the first phase of this initiative, an inquiry-based learning program titled "Workshop to Enhance Interest in English and DX Utilizing 'Langaku'" was conducted on April 22, 2026, at Taisei High School in Mitaka City, Tokyo.
■ A New Form of Learning Starting with Manga
This program utilizes 'Langaku' to provide inquiry-based learning from the following three perspectives:
・Manga × English Extensive Reading
Students enjoy reading their favorite manga in English, experiencing the discovery of "this line translates to this in English." Because they are reading manga they already enjoy, English expressions naturally sink in through the power of the story.
・Manga × Inquiry
Students deepen their thinking by sharing impressions with peers and encountering new works through reading experiences. They expand their learning by starting from their own 'likes' and engaging with others' perspectives.
・Manga × DX (Digital Transformation)
With the theme "What kind of service is 'Langaku'?", students explore the app's functions and collectively learn about the AI and technological mechanisms that support it.
■ Implementation at Taisei High School
The program was conducted on April 22, 2026, for 118 students across three classes at Taisei High School.
At Taisei High School, the first school to implement the program, students showed a proactive attitude. A post-implementation survey (95 valid responses) among participants recorded an average overall satisfaction score of 4.09 out of 5, and an average interest level in the manga within the app of 4.16.
Notably, a change was observed among the 65% of respondents who self-identified as "bad at English." Approximately half (52%) of these students who felt they were not good at English responded, "I feel like I could read English manga on my own," indicating success in lowering the psychological barrier to English learning and providing a sense of accomplishment in deep inquiry activities.
【Student Voices】
"Just facing textbooks for English didn't last long for me. With this, I feel like I can engage with English daily." (Student who said they were worst at English)
"I never thought I could be this interested in English. I thought I'd try using it personally." (Student who said they were worst at English)
"Just turning English into manga made it many times more enjoyable to read than reading textbook sentences."
"It was so much fun, I forgot I used to hate English."
【Comment from Mr. Hagiwara, Taisei High School】
"I was surprised by the proactive attitude of students who said they were not good at English. It was particularly impressive to see them enjoying 'Oh, so that line translates to this in English' about manga they had read before. I believe they experienced how new value can be found by combining multiple elements and technology. I hope that these insights and ways of thinking will serve as a starting point for further deepening their inquiry activities based on their individual interests."
■ Presenting Case Studies at EDIX Tokyo
This program is scheduled to be introduced as a joint seminar "Langaku Inquiry-Based Learning Program" by Mantra × BYD at the BYD booth during the Education General Exhibition "EDIX Tokyo," held at Tokyo Big Sight from May 13 (Wednesday) to 15 (Friday), 2026.
▼ EDIX Tokyo Event Overview
Dates: May 13 (Wednesday) – 15 (Friday), 2026
Venue: Tokyo Big Sight
Booth: BYD Booth (3-1)
Seminar: May 13 (Wednesday) 15:00–15:30
"Langaku Inquiry-Based Learning Program: ~Manga × English Extensive Reading × DX × Inquiry~ How to Create the Most Enjoyable English Brain"
■ Future Developments
'Langaku' has already received high praise as an English extensive reading material from schools that have adopted it, and we will continue to expand its adoption nationwide.
Furthermore, Mantra and BYD will further strengthen their collaboration on the inquiry-based learning program, delivering this new form of learning – "Manga × English Extensive Reading × Inquiry × DX" – to schools across the country.
We will continue to strive to create educational opportunities where each student can learn proactively and grow while having fun.
■ Application Information
The English extensive reading app 'Langaku' and the 'Langaku Inquiry-Based Learning Program' are available for junior and high schools nationwide.
Keywords: